Latest News from Big Island Times

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has announced the opening of the 2025 Spring Bearded Turkey Hunting Season on Hawaiʻi Island.

Coalition wins injunction against unauthorized Treasury access by Elon Musk

Attorney General Anne Lopez announced a significant legal victory for Hawaiʻi in a lawsuit involving Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, or "DOGE."

New voyaging canoe replaces Mo‘olele lost in Lahaina wildfires

A voyaging canoe destroyed in the Lahaina wildfires is being replaced with a new vessel, thanks to the collaborative efforts of various individuals and organizations.

Iolani School wins state competition; heads to national contest

Iolani School has emerged as the winner of the 2025 Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts State Competition, as announced by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Business Registration Division and Insurance Division, along with the Hawaiʻi Credit...

Senator Hirono criticizes Republican efforts to cut education funding

By Big Island Times | Feb 20, 2025

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono recently addressed the Senate floor, criticizing efforts by President Trump and Republicans to dismantle the Department of Education and cut federal funding for key educational programs.

Senator Hirono opposes Kash Patel's nomination as FBI Director

By Big Island Times | Feb 20, 2025

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono has voted against the confirmation of Kash Patel as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Senators urge reopening of CFPB operations to safeguard veterans

By Big Island Times | Feb 20, 2025

U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Tammy Duckworth, and Richard Blumenthal have called for the immediate resumption of operations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Korematsu-Takai Act reintroduced by lawmakers on WWII incarceration anniversary

On the anniversary of Executive Order 9066, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Tammy Duckworth, along with U.S. Representative Mark Takano, have reintroduced the Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act.

Resolution celebrates Mahina Olelo Hawaii

U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz, along with U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, have introduced a resolution in celebration of Mahina Olelo Hawaii, also known as Hawaiian Language Month.

Senators urge Trump not to cut Medicare and Medicaid

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, alongside Senators Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and 29 other colleagues, has addressed a letter to President Trump expressing strong opposition to potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

Hoapili Hale closes temporarily due to water service interruption

The Second Circuit courthouse, Hoapili Hale in Wailuku, Hawaii, has been closed due to a temporary water service interruption.

Community-built comfort station approved for Hā‘ena State Park

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has received approval from the Land Board for a community-built comfort station at Hā‘ena State Park.

Senators challenge Trump administration over NIH funding cuts

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, alongside Senator Patty Murray and the Senate Democratic Caucus, has raised concerns over recent actions by the Trump Administration that they claim threaten America's biomedical research infrastructure.

Senators question Musk's agency over access to disaster victims' personal data

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, along with Senators Alex Padilla, Peter Welch, and nine other colleagues from states affected by disasters, have sought clarification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding a potential security...

Former nonprofit executive charged with fraud and theft totaling over $81K

On February 14, 2025, Moanaoio Bjur was indicted by the O‘ahu Grand Jury on charges including Computer Fraud in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree, Computer Fraud in the Second Degree, and Theft in the Second Degree.

Adaptive ocean sports group gains new storage at Ala Wai harbor

The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) has approved a permit allowing AccesSurf, an adaptive ocean sports program, to use space at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor for storage and parking.

Woman cited for entering closed Sacred Falls State Park

A woman has been cited for entering Sacred Falls State Park, a location closed under the Division of State Parks Administrative Rules.

Kaua’i uses innovative mosquito release strategy to protect endangered forest birds

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has initiated a novel approach to protect Kaua'i's endangered forest birds by releasing mosquitoes.

Bipartisan bill introduced to study wildfire mitigation through wildlife grazing

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, along with Senators Alex Padilla, Jerry Moran, and James Lankford, has introduced the Wildfire Resilience Through Grazing Research Act.

Bipartisan bill introduced to train cosmetologists on domestic violence awareness